Real Madrid and Barcelona shared four goals in a thrilling 2-2 draw in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup.

Having hogged the headlines for a number of bad-tempered clashes last season, the two played out a game refreshingly void of late challenges and mass-brawls. Another surprise saw Real adopt the role of the cultivated passing side out of the two, opening the scoring through Mesut Ozil and then levelling through Xabi Alonso.

Between times Barcelona utilised the smash-and-grab style often used by Madrid last season, with David Villa and Lionel Messi scoring.

Real's shift in style could well be traced back to last season when, after they were crushed in the league and the Champions League by Barcelona, they were accused of being unable to live with their Catalan rivals.

That was not the case here. Karim Benzema, their most impressive performer in pre-season, had an effort deflected wide off Eric Abidal and the same player was denied again when Victor Valdes clawed his header, which flew up off the turf, away to safety.

Sergio Ramos then saw a drive hit Javier Mascherano and the pressure was so intense it was only a matter of time before Madrid scored.

That time was the 12th minute. Benzema was again involved, bustling his way through before laying on a ball which Ozil hit across Valdes and into the bottom right-hand corner.

Not to be left out, Cristiano Ronaldo had a strike smothered by Valdes, but that effort signalled the end of Real's wave of attacks as Barça stepped up.

They did not create any chances of note and, when Villa left Iker Casillas grasping at the air with a 35th-minute rocket, it came out of the blue.

Real were wondering what they had done wrong but, rather than ponder themselves, Barcelona scored again just before the break, with Messi slotting home after Sami Khedira inadvertently bundled the ball into his path.

Their lead lasted only until the 53rd minute, though, with Alonso afforded the time and space to roll the ball into the corner from the edge of the box.

Ronaldo then forced Valdes to punch away his shot and Messi whipped a free-kick over the bar.

The spirit of the game was sorely tested when both Ronaldo and Pedro appealed for penalties but tempers cooled enough for the match to end level heading into Wednesday's second leg.